The article Teachers’ pedagogical beliefs and their planning and conduct of computer-mediated classroom lessons, discusses that teachers own beliefs on teaching affect how they use technology in the classroom (p.808).
In one teachers words:
“I was like many new teachers last time ... always being excited about new ways of teaching. During my last twelve years, we have tried so many things ... group learning, problem-based learning, discovery learning, exploratory learning ... but they all didn’t work in the school system. We need to understand the nature of the school system to be effective ... schools are still about doing well for the examinations” (p.823).
A study by Gatzke and LeDrew, shows one school in Canada that found some great ways to implement the use of technology in classroom literacy learning with a physical education twist.
Here is what they did:
First Step: Two teachers (teaching 2/3 split and fourth grade) got together and picked two aboriginal games for the students to learn and play. They picked the Screaming Game and the First Nations Foot Race. Students were then taught how to play the game.
Second Step: The students then used procedural writing methods to explain to the reader the steps necessary to play the game and what materials were needed.
Third Step: The teachers modeled for the students how to use computers, how to access folders of pictures (using iphoto) of the students playing the games, and how to use spell check in wordprcessing.
Fourth Step: The students created “books” explaining the games in writing and with pictures. Many students chose to add music as well .
Fifth and Final Step: The teachers printed out the books for each child and made an extra copy to keep in the classroom library (p.289).
Don’t be afraid to implement technology into your classroom. You might just be amazed with what your students are able to create!
Resources:
Chai, C-S., Lim, C-P. (2008). Teachers pedogical beliefs and their planning and conduct of computer mediated classroom lessons. British Journal of Educational Technology. 39(5), 807-828.
Gatzke, L., LeDrew, J. (2008). Liking physical education and technology to engage primary students in meaningful literacy experiences. The International Journal of Learning. 15(8), 287-294.
3 comments:
Using technology in the classroom looks very different depending on what your classroom demographics are. As a kindergarten teacher I try to use visuals as often as possible. Even the simple uses of technology such as using the document camera when I read aloud enables my students to get a better look at the pictures and follow along with me as I read the words. Technology seems to be "the way" to get students engaged and excited about learning. I frequently use unitedstreaming in my classroom to show videos to reinforce a concept I am teaching or to introduce a new idea. I feel like my kids get more out of a 15 minutes math about addition, then they would if I showed them how to do it with manipulatives, etc. Technology really is the key to this generation of students going throug the education system.
Jen Maxfield
This is a great example of using technology to enhance learning for the students. By allowing the students to use their creativity with the computer they were able to make sense of the assignment for themselves. The creation of creating a book they could take with them was a nice extension.
I agree that implementing technology in the classroom depends greatly on the skills, implementation and confidence in yourself to successfully engage and enhance each child’s learning while using technology to its fullest. A lack of confidence when using technology will not creatively engage each student to ensure a continuum of ample learning. Technology is the backbone in ensuring a positive and successful outcome when teaching your students. If technology is not utilized in a correct and engaging manner, then the teacher will lose student interest and concepts will not be effectively taught. Confidence is key and to build confidence practice is needed.
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